Dominican University
About Dominican University
Overview, location, and what makes it stand out
Dominican University is a private Catholic university in River Forest, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago. It offers programs in business, nursing, psychology, and design, with a focus on social justice and serving a diverse student population.
Founded
1901
Location
River Forest, Illinois
Students
3,674
Institution
Private
Known For
Key Stats
A quick snapshot of what matters most
Acceptance Rate
90.3%
Open admission
Graduation Rate
55.3%
Below national average
Tuition
$38,978
Per year
Avg Net Price
$11,745
After financial aid
SAT Average
1002
Out of 1600
Median Earnings
$60,327
10 years after enrollment
Admissions
How competitive is getting in?
Selectivity
Open Admission
Most students who apply are accepted
How to Apply
Test Policy
Test Optional
Application Fee
Free
Early
Nov 15
Regular
Rolling
Dominican University accepts the majority of applicants at 90.3%. If you meet the basic requirements, this is an accessible option worth considering.
SAT Scores
1002/ 1600
ACT Scores
25/ 36
Academics
How strong is the academic experience?
Student Success
Average
55.3% complete their degree within six years
Retention
77.9%
4-Year Grad
40%
6-Year Grad
52%
Teaching Quality
11:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-Time
38.3%
$/Student
$11.3K
Class Size
Medium
The 40% graduation rate is below average, but 77.9% of freshmen return for year two. Students are staying, even if completion takes longer than four years.
Tuition & Costs
What will you actually pay?
Tuition & Fees
$38,978
Annual Tuition
Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals
Room & Board
$12,716
Books & Supplies
$1,200
Total Cost of Attendance
$43,891
After Financial Aid
$11,745
Average Net Price
Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships
Net Price (family income <$30K)
$9,759
Receive Grants
51.5%
Take Loans
50%
Don't let the $38,978 sticker price scare you. Most students pay around $11,745 after financial aid, a 70% discount. Families earning under $30K pay closer to $9,759.
Financial Aid
Who gets aid and what happens after
Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at Dominican University fund their education.
While in School
51.5%
Get Grants
Free money
50%
Take Loans
Must repay
$38,451
Median Family Income
After Graduation
$24,411
Median Debt at Graduation
Total federal loan balance when students graduate
$259/mo
Monthly Payment
0%
LowDefault Rate
Students typically graduate with $24,411 in debt, below the national median. That's a manageable amount for most career paths.
Student Body
Diversity, gender, and enrollment
From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends Dominican University.
Gender
69.5%
Female
31%
Male
Female to Male Ratio
Race & Ethnicity
Enrollment
2,561
Undergraduate Students
Student Profile
1,113
Graduates
50.7%
First-Gen
21 yrs
Avg Age
5.8%
Age 25+
Women make up the majority at 70% of the student body. 50.7% are first-generation college students, so there's a strong community of students who understand that experience.
Campus Life
What it's like to be a student here
Campus Setting
Suburb: Large
Campus Quick Facts
2,561
Students
private
Institution
Small
Campus Size
Master's
Classification
What This College Offers
Semester calendar
Study Abroad
Yes
AP Credit
Yes
Teacher Cert
Yes
ROTC
No
Evening College
Yes
Online Programs
Yes
Job Placement
Yes
Career Counseling
Yes
Sports & Athletics
How seriously this college takes sport
Dominican University fields 9 varsity teams with 309 student athletes, about 12% of the student body.
Division
NCAA
Division III without football
Conference
Northern Athletics
The league its teams compete in
Varsity Sports
9
Biggest: Soccer
Student Athletes
309
12% of the student body
Athletes by Gender
52% / 48%
161
Men
148
Women
8
Men's Teams
7
Women's Teams
Biggest Teams
Every Varsity Team
After Graduation
What can you earn with this degree?
How much do graduates of Dominican Universityearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.
Earnings Trajectory
$60,327
Median Earnings · 10 Years After
Popular Programs
Top 6Psychology, General
$31K
38 grads
1yr Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
$71K
30 grads
1yr Earnings
Natural Sciences
$27K
28 grads
1yr Earnings
Marketing
—
26 grads
Biology, General
$26K
24 grads
1yr Earnings
Business Administration, Management and Operations
$45K
23 grads
1yr Earnings
Earnings grow steadily here: $48K at six years, $44K at eight, and $60K by ten. Well above average at every stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Dominican University
What is the acceptance rate at Dominican University?▾
How much does Dominican University cost?▾
What is the graduation rate at Dominican University?▾
How much do Dominican University graduates earn?▾
Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.